I have a relatively easy-going and well-behaved 3 yo DD. She does kick off sometimes, and that can be embarrassing if in company. But, am I the only one who gets the little voice piping up about how naughty other kids are while she is being good? Now that is just as mortifying...

You are being ridiculous and thinking about this far too much! If class bothered her in any way (absolutely no reason why it should) she wouldn't have spoken to you. She will have experienced misbehaving children just the same as you.

Ps I generally wouldn't judge a person negatively for having a day of whinging baby and pre-schooler - surely this is what most parents of young children experience - we've all been there and have oodles of empathy.

I am middle class with a good career and a toddler DD. My DD is well behaved for most of the time (I'd guess she is average), but occasionally isn't. And sometimes that is in public. Sometimes I just wish the ground would swallow us up but I generally manage to remember that most DC have moments like that. The most embarrassing was when she decided she didn't like her friend any more half way through a play date. I was mortified and just couldn't talk her into behaving properly. If I see someone else's child play up then I tend to think "yup, DD's done that too". I certainly don't judge as I am sure with DD that pride comes before a fall and if I judge then DD will be twice as bad within the next day. It wouldn't occur to me not to speak to them again.

DD has been at a private school since nursery. I've seen children having tantrums, throwing things, shouting, refusing to do as they're told etc. etc. The very vast majority of parents are what you'd probably define as middle class professional types.

Honestly children's mood swings do not discriminate by class. Even Princess Kate will at some point face a tantrum from Geroge.

Ring her up, suggest a playdate, make a friend have fun and please don't worry

Out of pure curiosity (and because I'm not originally from the UK) what is considered middle class these days? In this example, how much would the lady be making and what profession would she have for it to be considered middle class? I'm just honestly asking as I don't really get how it works in this country.

I find other mothers breath a sigh of relief when dd tantrums, I do the same, she was probably feeling very lucky that at least it wasn't hers!!! All young children tantrum and every parent with a child over a certain age knows that, she wasn't judging you.

The problem is that you think she's better than you, she isn't. You are as good and as worthy as anyone else, be kind to yourself

There is this really snotty cow at school who is the mother of one of ds1s classmates. She is constantly talking about how great her dc are, looking down her nose at everyone else.Anyway, one day last month she made a huge spectacle at home time as her ds came out to say he'd gone on to level 7 in reading (only Reception so level 7 is awesome and far ahead of the rest).I was rolling my eyes to myself and hoping that ds1 would have made some spectacular achievement that day to shut her up. Ds1s teacher then called me over to hand me a plastic bag and tell me (audibly) that he had wet himself that day.

The mum actually smirked as she heared and went past, still cooing over level-seven-kid. Not much of a come back from that! Her smug smile still makes my teeth itch!

Whenever I see anyone struggling with a tantruming toddler I always a) see if they've got a magic technique I can steal when mine kicks off later and b) feel really sorry for the parent.

I'm sure she will have thought 'thank goodness she (you) moved quickly enough to stop her child in the round - well done!' and 'poor woman (you), that looks really stressful. I hope she has a stiff gin when she gets in'.

If I was her I would've been pleased that you were human and had a 'normal' child who does normal stuff.

She spoke to you because she wants to get to know you - I bet that hasn't changed!

well, I'm as middle class as they come and I wouldn't have batted an eyelid. Please don't think that middle class people don't have DC who run them ragged! You do sound like you have low self-esteem, but please take the fact that this woman came and chatted to you, and that your DDs are friends as a real positive. I'm sure you'll be round each others houses swapping horror stories soon enough!

Three please be kinder to yourself. The woman will NOT judge you unless she is a twat. Which she doesn't sound. Your DD will make LOTS of friends...talk to the parents of all of them...be yourself. xxxx